Flames scorch field north of Chico

CHICO &GT;&GT; A fire scorched 19 acres of brush and vegetation before firefighters were able to stop the spread Sunday near Hagenridge Road and Keefer Road in north Chico.

The flames began at around 2:55 p.m. but did not threaten any buildings, according to a press release from Cal Fire-Butte County. A helicopter, air water tanker, bulldozer, engine and truck companies and volunteer firefighters from Cohasset, Cherokee and Chico responded to the blaze, the cause of which is still under investigation.

After the spread of the fire was contained, the aircraft were released, although firefighter crews remained on scene for several hours.